Hero of the Month: Bob Willis Proudly brought to you by Anthony Roberts, MP
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ob Willis, 94, and client of Sydney Community Services, has led much of his life on water. Prior to settling in Riverview and starting his family, Bob survived many perils on the high seas from getting stranded on a coral reef for 25 days to dealing with the threat of pirates along China’s coastline. Last December, he became a part of Australia’s war history for being part of the crew on a ship that transported suspected Japanese war criminals to Manus Island in 1949 for their trials. Bob grew up in Smithtown near Kempsey, on the Macleay River. Everything was transported by boats in those days and Bob decided from an early age that he was going to sea as an engineer on boats he had seen travelling up and down the river. During World War II, Bob, then 16, came to Sydney to work as an apprentice, undertaking the steelwork to mount guns on ships. In 1948, after passing his engineering exams, he joined the crew of Inchmark, a ship built in 1912 that was falling apart.
He says that it was a great ship for learning because everything needed to be fixed on a regular basis. When the ship was stranded on coral reef on the open seas, Bob and his crewmates caught rain for water, went fishing and coconut picking on a nearby uninhabited island. Fortunately, he could send telegraphs to his parents to let them know he was alright. Eventually the crew were rescued and taken to Hong Kong, but Inchmark was sadly left behind. One of the ships Bob worked on was hired to transport suspected Japanese war criminals. “They thought we were going to kill them and throw them in the sea,” he recalls. Bob talks about the anger that flared up among some of the crew and the Australian soldiers on board. To dissipate the tension, the Japanese soldiers came up with a plan to put on a show with singing and dancing. “Some of them were very good singers,” Bob laughs.
Last December Bob and his son made the journey to Canberra’s Australian War Memorial where they were met by Stephanie Boyle, the curator. They recorded Bob’s recollections of transporting the Japanese soldiers and it has become an official part of the Australian war history archives. Bob is a proud member, and an exchairman, of The Lane Cove Bowling and Recreation Club. Although it is temporarily closed, Bob urges locals to join the fun and festivities the club will have to offer once its doors re-open again. lanecovebowls.com.au/
Hero of the Month shines a light on the notable figures in our community. Authorised by Anthony Roberts, Ground Floor 215 Victoria Road GLADESVILLE NSW 2111. Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.
HUNTERS HILL SENIORS HUB Doors open and COVID safe! A daytime, inclusive and supportive space for general seniors’ groups, dementia support groups and ladies and men’s groups. Great opportunity for seniors seeking social interaction and for carers seeking respite. Open: Monday to Friday from 10am until 3pm. Activities: Quizzes and Games, Picnics and BBQs, Craft and Music, Day Trips, Gentle Exercise Classes, Day Trips and Outings Transport: Hub staff are available to pick-up and drop-off participants at their own homes. Cost: Commonwealth Health Support Program (CHSP) clients: $20 + $10 lunch (incursion) and $25 + $15 lunch (outings)
www.sydneycs.org 40 TVO
TEL: 9817 0101
